The Resurrected Christ Teaches About Baptism: What Happens When I Am Baptized?

And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters (Mosiah 5:7).

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When the resurrected Savior visited the Nephites, one of the first things He taught them was the fullness of the gospel. (They had had only the law of Moses before Jesus came to them with the new covenant.) He called Nephi, the grandson of Helaman, forward and gave him the authority to baptize and do other ordinances in the gospel. He called others and gave them the same power. (See 3 Ne. 11:18, 21–22.)

Then Jesus said, “Whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them.

“And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying:

“Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

“And then shall ye immerse them in the water, and come forth again out of the water.” (3 Ne. 11:23–26.)

In 1830, the baptismal prayer was revealed again to Joseph Smith. In keeping with this revelation, the prayer now begins, “Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, …” (D&C 20:73).

People today are baptized in the same way and by the same authority that was given to Nephi and others so long ago. Those being baptized must be at least eight years old, they are immersed in the water, and they receive a remission of their sins. Soon afterward, they are confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. They are on the path toward eternal life.

Eight-year-old Jared Nephi Arvidson of Raymond Terrace, New South Wales, Australia, loves to read about his namesakes in the Book of Mormon. When he was baptized, two of his nonmember teachers from school came and were very impressed with the special night.

Color the flannel-board figures, then mount them on heavy paper. Cut them out and use them to retell the story “The Resurrected Christ Teaches About Baptism.”

Jesus teaching the Nephites; Jesus giving power to baptize to the Nephite disciples; Modern boy being baptized; Modern boy greeting two of his nonmember schoolteachers. (Illustrated by Beth Whittaker.)